School: Engineering

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Sustainability and Renewable Energy
  • Unit Code

    ENS5445
  • Year

    2017
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Stefan W LACHOWICZ

Description

This unit introduces students to the concepts behind and the design of renewable and efficient electric power systems. First, distributed power generation and its economics are discussed. This is followed by a detailed analysis of the design and operation of wind,photovoltaic, and other renewable power systems. Students will be exposed to the problem of meeting energy demand while implementing strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 1 units from ENS5230

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Analyse the impacts of the latest developments in microgrid and smart grid technologies.
  2. Assess the economic and environmental benefits of utilising sustainable energy resources.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of distributed electricity generation and the economics of distributed resources.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while meeting demands for energy.
  5. Formulate guidelines for the design and maintenance of wind and photovoltaic power systems.
  6. Identify and implement energy efficiency strategies for industrial, commercial and residential users of electricity.
  7. Research new developments in sustainability and renewable energy and reflect critically on their significance to engineering practice.

Unit Content

  1. Distributed generation technologies, fossil fuels, solar power, biomass for electricity, micro-hydropower, fuel cells.
  2. Economics of distributed resources, electric utility rate structure, energy economics, distributed benefits, integrated resource planning and demand-side management.
  3. Photovoltaic materials and electrical characteristics.
  4. Photovoltaic systems, grid connected systems, stand-alone systems, economics.
  5. Power quality aspects of distributed and renewable generation: voltage regulation problems, interference with the utility fault-clearing process, concerns for islanding, etc.
  6. Review of the electric power industry.
  7. The microgrid as an innovative small-scale distributed generation network and the required power control strategies.
  8. The smart grid paradigm for high penetrations of renewable energy and distributed generation.
  9. The solar resource characteristics.
  10. Wind power systems, types of wind turbines and their characteristics, wind turbine economics.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Seminars, project and laboratory work.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities and/or online activities including discussion boards is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
Laboratory Work ^Laboratory sessions and reports25%
TestMid-semester test25%
Examination ^End of semester examination50%

^ Mandatory to Pass


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

ENS5445|2|1

School: Engineering

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Sustainability and Renewable Energy
  • Unit Code

    ENS5445
  • Year

    2017
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Stefan W LACHOWICZ

Description

This unit introduces students to the concepts behind and the design of renewable and efficient electric power systems. First, distributed power generation and its economics are discussed. This is followed by a detailed analysis of the design and operation of wind,photovoltaic, and other renewable power systems. Students will be exposed to the problem of meeting energy demand while implementing strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 1 units from ENS5230

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Analyse the impacts of the latest developments in microgrid and smart grid technologies.
  2. Assess the economic and environmental benefits of utilising sustainable energy resources.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of distributed electricity generation and the economics of distributed resources.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while meeting demands for energy.
  5. Formulate guidelines for the design and maintenance of wind and photovoltaic power systems.
  6. Identify and implement energy efficiency strategies for industrial, commercial and residential users of electricity.
  7. Research new developments in sustainability and renewable energy and reflect critically on their significance to engineering practice.

Unit Content

  1. Distributed generation technologies, fossil fuels, solar power, biomass for electricity, micro-hydropower, fuel cells.
  2. Economics of distributed resources, electric utility rate structure, energy economics, distributed benefits, integrated resource planning and demand-side management.
  3. Photovoltaic materials and electrical characteristics.
  4. Photovoltaic systems, grid connected systems, stand-alone systems, economics.
  5. Power quality aspects of distributed and renewable generation: voltage regulation problems, interference with the utility fault-clearing process, concerns for islanding, etc.
  6. Review of the electric power industry.
  7. The microgrid as an innovative small-scale distributed generation network and the required power control strategies.
  8. The smart grid paradigm for high penetrations of renewable energy and distributed generation.
  9. The solar resource characteristics.
  10. Wind power systems, types of wind turbines and their characteristics, wind turbine economics.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Seminars, project and laboratory work.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities and/or online activities including discussion boards is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
Laboratory Work ^Laboratory sessions and reports25%
TestMid-semester test25%
Examination ^End of semester examination50%

^ Mandatory to Pass

Core Reading(s)

  • Masters, G. M. (2013). Renewable and efficient electric power systems. (2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

ENS5445|2|2